How is it lobbyists are now OK?

Tuesday

Feb 12, 2013 at 3:15 AM

For all the complaining Democrats have done about the undue influence of lobbyists, we don’t expect to hear a word of disagreement from state Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley over Gov. Maggie Hassan’s first appointment as governor — a lobbyist.

Hassan has chosen Jeffery J. Rose to lead the Department of Resources and Economic Development, a state department with a $60 million budget and employee roster of 1,100 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers. His appointment is expected to go before the Executive Council shortly.

Rose is currently a New Hampshire lobbyist for BAE Systems, one of New Hampshire’s largest employers.

It’s not that we have anything against Rose, nor do we offer any knee-jerk reaction to a lobbyist serving in government. There are many reasons to take advantage of such expertise.

In the case of Rose, he has also served on policy-setting boards at the Business and Industry Association. There, according to President Jim Roche, Rose has shown the relationship-building qualities needed to succeed in the new job.

That said, the next time were hear the carte blanche condemnation of lobbyists by the Democratic hierarchy we want readers to remember, and understand, the two-faced nature of the complaint.